Let Off %, what is best?

Hello all, I am in the process of changing the let off of my bow from 75% ( not my choice) to 65%. I was wondering if there is any advantage in going any more, say 60% or even 50%. What do others shoot and why?

Rich

[Adam]

Originally Posted by rgsphoto

Hello all, I am in the process of changing the let off of my bow from 75% ( not my choice) to 65%. I was wondering if there is any advantage in going any more, say 60% or even 50%. What do others shoot and why?

for target archery 65% is good. Any less and it's get's tiring to shoot, any more and it's too easy to deflect the string.

Adam

[Rik]

Interesting question. I don't actually know the let-off on my compound. I believe it's specced at somewhere around 65%, but that doesn't tell me what it actually is - for that I'd need to measure the peak weight and the valley weight accurately and figure it out. I've never done that.

I don't see an advantage in high let-off setups, unless you're handling an extreme amount of weight, which we never do in FITA/GNAS archery (limited to 60lb max). You need some weight to pull against. As to lower amounts of let-off; I can't see 50% as a "tiring" figure (max 30lb holding weight - peanuts). But I'm also not sure I see much advantage in it - cleaner loose for finger shooters?

I did hear tell of an Italian guy who shot a no let-off setup, with a clicker....

[sky_high30]

My Browning's set to about 65%. It's marginally more forgiving to shoot - which is still pretty unforgiving, annoyingly. It was originally set to 80% - which was too much, as it didn't give me anything to pull into.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Rik

I can't see 50% as a "tiring" figure

Next time you're at an outdoor shoot, especially on a windy day, take a look at the holding time (at full draw) for the compound archers compared to the recurve boys.

Most recurve archers will get the shot away in 3-5 seconds. The compound archers will generally take anything up to 20 seconds. Bear-in-mind also that the mass weight of a fully kitted compound bow will be around 5.5-6.5 pounds - say 20-25% more than a recurve bow.

Believe me, fatigue can be every bit as much of an issue with a compound bow, as with a recurve.

Adam

[Bald Eagle]

I've got about 70% let off on my bow and it feels great. I get so relaxed when I shoot that my old Razortec at 65% was pulling my release out of my hand! I've tried the new Trykon and new Bowtech's and for me the Bowtech wins, solid stop, smooth draw and the end result is pleasing. The new Allegiance is out of this world, the finish is superb and draw length is determined by module change instead of cam change on the old one. They have really got their act together, even down to offsetting the limb pockets to keep the string in line! I'm hooked!!

[Rik]

Originally Posted by Adam

Next time you're at an outdoor shoot, especially on a windy day, take a look at the holding time (at full draw) for the compound archers compared to the recurve boys.

Most recurve archers will get the shot away in 3-5 seconds. The compound archers will generally take anything up to 20 seconds. Bear-in-mind also that the mass weight of a fully kitted compound bow will be around 5.5-6.5 pounds - say 20-25% more than a recurve bow.

Yes, well that's an indication of faulty technique. It's been *measured* that accuracy decreases with long holding time on a compound. There is no fundamental reason why a compound should not get a shot off within the same amount of time as a recurve... The greater mass of a compound is a good reason to not hold it up for longer than is necessary.
Wind... it's a problem for all styles. Many people react poorly to it, longer hold times, decreased scores...

Originally Posted by Rik

Yes, well that's an indication of faulty technique. It's been *measured* that accuracy decreases with long holding time on a compound. There is no fundamental reason why a compound should not get a shot off within the same amount of time as a recurve... The greater mass of a compound is a good reason to not hold it up for longer than is necessary.
Wind... it's a problem for all styles. Many people react poorly to it, longer hold times, decreased scores...

Do you shoot for the GB compound team Rik?

[Rik]

Originally Posted by rgsphoto

Do you shoot for the GB compound team Rik?

Nope. And I didn't do the research either, which doesn't mean I can't read it...

Sorry, flippant response.

My own experience (poor as it is) seemed to support the reported findings. Longer hold time led to worse shots (on average). This doesn't mean that some people can't get away with it. It might mean that their performance would improve with better flow and shorter hold time... I don't expect we will see a major study on the subject though - who has the funding for it?

[Marcus26]

This is a question that is not easy to answer.
Also with modern compound bows the question is not letoff, rather valley length IMHO.
Example
I shot a Hoyt UltraElite with Spirals in 2004 set to 65% letoff and shot it very well. I couldn't shoot it at 55% however because the valley was gone. The weight was not an issue, just the lack of valley.
When I changed to a Mathews Ovation I set it to 65%, however the short valley again caused me major problems. I ended up making my own draw stop and could shoot it at 72%
My next bow was a Mathews Switchback and came only in 65% and it was like shooting the UltraElite.
Finally I then moved to an Allegiance and found my best holding at 80% letoff. (BTW this was all in 4 months)

Adam is spot on that higher holding weight is better as it interferes with the string less. However just because your letoff is 12#, doesn't mean a well executed shot is made at 12#.
Just doing a quick test with some rather bad scales. My holding minimum is 12#. My actuall shooting poundage is 24-28#, ie I pull an additional 12# into the back wall which allows me to hold better in the wind.
What I like about the Allegiance set this way is that before I start pulling into the wall I can get my body settled and setup with minimal effort, at 22# this is harder to do.